Fry a turkey – not your voice! Vocal fry in the speaking voice, or what I like to call ‘falling on gravel’, is one of the sneakiest and pernicious causes of vocal fatigue I find. If you don’t talk much, maybe this doesn’t turn into that much of a problem, but most people find themselves… Read More » about Speaking with Vocal Fry: Danger!!
All Things Vocal Blog & Podcast
Singing And Playing Guitar… Breath Issues
Singers who play guitar sometimes have breath issues. Most of the time, especially if the singer has been playing for a while, they typically sing better with the instrument than without. However, sometimes it’s the opposite. Singers are all so interestingly unique! I just got a great email inquiry about this: Andrea wrote… I had… Read More » about Singing And Playing Guitar… Breath Issues
Numb/Lifeless Singing: 9 Causes and Cures
So you’ve either noticed or been told that you have a numb or lifeless singing voice. Getting to the root (the why) is the only way to change this ineffective, boring vocal performance into a voice that is understood at an emotional level. The top 9 reasons I see in vocal coaching for numb/ lifeless… Read More » about Numb/Lifeless Singing: 9 Causes and Cures
Gift Ideas for Singers, Songwriters, Musicians and Speakers 2011
For those who find this old post: please go to my UPDATED gift list on the new post.
Talking On The Phone Can Hurt Your Voice!
Did you know that talking on the phone for any extended length of time can sabotage your singing voice? Yep, it’s absolutely true. Why? No one can see you. Therefore, you don’t use the same kind of facial and body language that you would if communicating visually. Here’s the typical phone talker: Your face upper face… Read More » about Talking On The Phone Can Hurt Your Voice!
Resting My Voice
Yep, this is me… riding all the way to sand! Hi sweet blog reading friends… Just didn’t want you to think I’d forgotten you. Boogie-boarding on my vacation took over… and except for the occasional (pulled) scream of delight when catching the perfect wave, I rested my voice for a week, literally and figuratively…. Read More » about Resting My Voice
Getting To Effortlessness in the Performing Arts
Dancer taking a load off at rehearsal for Swan Lake Tribute to Elaine Thomas, Nashville, Tn I went to a rehearsal for the Swan Lake Tribute to the 75th birthday of the amazing ballerina Elaine Thomas. The Dance Theater of Tennessee, where Elaine teaches now, hosts the event at Harpeth Hall Auditorium, Nashville. I… Read More » about Getting To Effortlessness in the Performing Arts
5 Tips for Breathing in the Vocal Booth
How you breathe in the vocal booth will determine your degree of vocal control- affecting pitch, tone, volume, vocal licks and your susceptibility to vocal strain. As is true for all singing, breath during vocal recording includes three areas… Read More » about 5 Tips for Breathing in the Vocal Booth
How Long Should You Warm Up Before Singing?
I’m warming Bridget Lappert up for a “We The People” performance Doing vocal warmups is as vital before vocal performance as it is to an athlete before a game. How long should you do it? … As long as it takes to be warmed up! That means if you’re singing regularly and in good… Read More » about How Long Should You Warm Up Before Singing?
How You Know If Your Performance Works
Fred Knoblock performing at JAM Pro Round, pic by Thom King There’s lots of us critics critiquing artists’ performances these days. From American Idol and other talent show judges and audiences, choir directors, school teachers, industry insiders, family and friends, TV talking heads, radio DJ’s, bloggers, mag news reporters and other media mavens as… Read More » about How You Know If Your Performance Works